Cong to Maam Cross

Cong to Roundstone via Maam Cross is a beautiful drive through the Irish countryside. The smell of burning peat is unmistakable. We drove by several peat bogs being harvested around Maam Cross. From Galway in the South to Letterkenny in the North, there is what is known as the Atlantic Blanket Bog. There are several areas of Mountain Blanket Bog as well. Read more about blanket bogs – it is quite fascinating.

Maam Cross to Roundstone

We were making our way toward Clifden and the Skyroad for a sunset shoot; eventually ending up at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel for the evening.

There is a lovely stone bridge on R344 along Lough Inagh a wee bit East of Connemara National Park. Thankfully I took a photo with my iPhone and was able to track down where this bridge was along our path. Google maps is pretty spectacular; with street view, it’s almost like I am right back there standing on that very road.

Google Maps Street View

Here are photos of the bridge, mountains and unnamed stream

Roundstone

Today Roundstone is a popular holiday resort renowned among artists and naturalists for the remarkable beauty of the surrounding mountains and seascapes. It has a traditional craft centre and local activities include Connemara Pottery, Connemara Jewellery and Connemara Instrument making. Connemara Farming, Connemara Fishing, Connemara Forestry and Connemara Quarrying are carried out extensively in the area.

In Roundstone you will find a busy harbour where local fishermen prepare and return with the day’s catch, featuring a mix of Lobster, Crab, Shrimp, Mackerel, Cod plus a variety of other fish. The town itself boasts a good choice of Bars and Seafood Restaurants crammed full of locally caught seafood. -http://www.roundstone-connemara.com/

Photos of Roundstone

Fish & Chips @ O'Dawd's — Fish & Chips @ O’Dawd’s

Roundstone in a quiet fishing village on the surface. I believe we could have spent all day in this lively community. We had traveled all day and we were very hungry. We did have a wee bit of time to explore the harbor before having dinner at O’Dawd’s of Roundstone. You’ll find that the fish and chips are different almost every place you stop. I really enjoyed that.